Community news briefs — Jan. 31, 2018

Learn about the social interactions of cougars from one of the world’s foremost experts at the Thursday, Feb. 1 Studium Generale, slated for 12:35 p.m. in the Little Theater at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.

Dr. Mark Elbroch is the lead scientist for Panthera, a conservation organization that supports research and sharing science with as large an audience as possible. He will present a program focused on the social interactions of cougars. Elbroch manages and leads projects, and directs the analysis of data gathered in the field for Panthera’s Puma Program.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the Studium presentation, contact Dr. Kate Reavey at kreavey@pencol.edu.

Citizen of Year nominations due today

The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual “Citizen of the Year” luncheon each February to reveal which Sequim citizen has been awarded the distinction for the previous year.

This year’s event is scheduled for Feb. 27.

The nomination period for this award is now open through the end of business on Jan. 31.

Nomination forms are available at the Sequim Visitor & Information Center, 1192 E. Washington Street or online at www.sequimchamber.com.

Nominations are accepted for any person, or pair of people who have worked jointly in community projects, and who are residents of Eastern Clallam County (primarily the Sequim School District); and has performed outstanding service to the community of Sequim.

Contact the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce for more information; call 360-683-6197 or email to info@sequimchamber.com.

Volunteer Hospice orientation set for this week

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County has announced upcoming informal volunteer orientations. To attend an orientation set for noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, in Carlsborg, call 360-775-7806.

A second orientation is scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 2, at the at the Port Angeles headquarters, 540 E. Eighth St.

Volunteer Hospice has been serving the community for 40 years, providing end-of-life care, lending medical equipment and supplies, offering education programs, grief support groups, one-on-one bereavement services and specialized workshops on living alone.

There is an immediate need for volunteers to join the equipment delivery team in Port Angeles, organization officials say; prerequisites are a clean driving record and the ability to lift 40-50 pounds. However, there are plenty of other opportunities to serve, they say.

Featured this month will be a Duncan Phyfe drop-leaf table and chairs, a solid wood rocker, Royal Daulton “Bell Heather” China set, an unusual curio cabinet and a vintage sewing machine. Also in stock is winter clothing, jewelry, puzzles, books and more. All white tagged items marked half price.

New volunteers and consignors are welcome. Call 360-683-7044 for information.

Make, donate a blanket for children via Project Linus

The 2018 Project Linus Make A Blanket Day is set for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

Volunteers will be collecting handmade blankets — quilted, fleece, knit or crochet — for children who are in critical need in the Clallam and Jefferson counties. Call 360-797-7417 or see http://wplinus.org for more information.

Garden club to meet

Sequim Prairie Garden Club’s favorite gardening guru Eleanor Garthwaite will give a presentation on the insect life around us from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, in the clubhouse at Pioneer Memorial Park, 387 E. Washington St. All are welcome to attend the presentation that includes slides and information sheets.

Join the Newcomers

The Newcomers’ Club on Tuesday, Feb. 6, hosts guest speaker Karen Kremkau, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for Habitat For Humanity of Clallam County, in the Legends Room at The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road. Socializing starts at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon. Kremkau will speak about Habitat For Humanity’s services and needs for Clallam County.

Cost is $20 for lunch (vegetarian lasagna, salad, garlic bread and cookies) or $5 for program only. RSVP by noon on Friday, Feb. 2., at http://olympicnewcomers.org, by emailing to warren.newcomers@gmail.com or call 630-992-5613.

Seven teams — six visiting high schools, plus Port Angeles’ squad — will participate in the competition, held in Port Angeles for the first time. Visiting teams include Arlington, Oak Harbor, Everett, Marysville, Burlington-Edison and Snohomish.

The event culminates with an awards ceremony, with trophies being awarded to the top three teams. Judges are active duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Marines, Army and Navy branches.

The annual free Night to Shine, a prom for people with special needs ages 14 and older on the North Olympic Peninsula, is 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the Vern Burton Center, 308 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Pre-registration is required. There are still a few spaces for both guests and volunteers who will act as companions or buddies.

The local event is in its second year. Hillcrest Baptist Church and The Crossing Church — with community partners Clallam Mosaic, Camp Beausite and Wilderness Escapes — join more than 450 churches around the world to host the annual free “Night to Shine” sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Caring for someone with memory loss? Do you need information and support? Alzheimer’s Association family caregiver support groups provide a place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on a journey of providing care to a person with memory loss.

Meetings are held from 1-2:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month in room 401 at Sequim Bible Church, 847 N. Sequim Ave.